The Coming of Arthur

Merlin was overjoyed as he was sitting among his friends in the Hall of the Ancient Kings of Camelot. He had lost so many of them and yet, here they were sitting next to him very much alive: Lancelot, Elyan, Gwaine, and first and foremost, Arthur. He remembered how he had felt back then. Camelot had been in Morgana's hand and all had seemed lost, yet he also remembered how hopeful and optimistic he had felt. Here at the Round Table, Albion's bright future had been almost palpable, within their reach. Somewhere along the way, they had taken a turn downhill into the utter disaster that had been the Battle of Camlann. This time, however, Merlin promised himself, he would make sure it never came that far. He was deep in thought trying to figure out why the Goddess had sent him this far back and what he was supposed to change, when Arthur's voice brought him back to the present which was actually his past.

"I want to thank you all for staying loyal to me in Camelot's hour of need. I'll do something that my father won't approve of."

Merlin shivered with anticipation. He had loved this bit. This was Arthur's first big step towards becoming the king Merlin had come to see in him over the years as his servant and – although Arthur would never admit it – his close friend. Arthur was stepping outside the shadow of his father and was beginning to come into his own as the man who would one day be the greatest king Albion would ever know. He felt the same great sense of momentousness as he had felt all those years ago when Arthur told Lancelot, Gawaine, Elyan, and Percival to kneel before him.

"Arise, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Camelot" Arthur said while touching Lancelot's right shoulder with his sword. Then he moved on to the others, repeating the ceremony. "Arise, Sir Gawaine, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Percival, Knight of Camelot. Arise, Sir Elyan, Knight of Camelot." Merlin exchanged a look with Gwen who had been proudly watching her brother. Then his attention was on Arthur again.

"Tomorrow, when you fight, you can stand proud knowing you are members of the noblest army the world has ever known."

While the others were busy discussing their options in trying to recapture Camelot, Lancelot took Merlin aside. Merlin's throat was bone dry and he had to fight back the tears that were welling up inside him. He wasn't sure if he could trust his voice, but he didn't intend to forget the Goddess's warning. Don't let him see how you feel inside, he told himself. He pulled himself together and managed to produce a proud grin as he addressed Lancelot: "Congratulations my friend! You're a knight finally."

"Yes, but for how long?" Lancelot replied and mustered his face carefully, "What is it, Merlin? I can tell you're planning something. And don't even think about lying; I know you too well."

Merlin hesitated only for a little bit. "Morgana has the Cup of Life. If I can find it and empty it of the blood within, then the army will be destroyed, and Morgana will be powerless."

Lancelot threw him a sceptical look. Oh how he had missed Lancelot! He hadn't admitted it, not even to himself, but having a friend apart from Gaius to confide in, who knew about his magic, was just wonderful. He marvelled if he could save him? Had it been his destiny to… But before he could finish that thought Lancelot spoke again: "Aren't you forgetting something? It's guarded by an immortal army. How do you get past them?"

Merlin smiled as he lowered his voice: "Aren't you forgetting something? I have magic."

"It doesn't make you immortal."

"No."

Lancelot shook his head and grabbed Merlin at his shoulder: "You know, Merlin, you're the one Arthur should knight. You're the bravest of us all and he doesn't even know it."

He will eventually and he will accept me for who I am, Merlin thought thinking back at Arthur's dying words. But what he said was: "He can't. Not just now. That's why I need to find a way to get to the Cup without Arthur knowing."

Winking at him encouragingly, Lancelot said: "Leave that to me."

Together they joined Arthur and the rest who were bent over a plan of Camelot Arthur had drawn in the dust on the floor.

"There is a tunnel under the northern ramparts that brings us only a few paces from the entrance to the dungeons. It will be well guarded. So, if we're going to break everyone out, we must remain unobserved. We cannot let them raise the alarm" Arthur said pointing at a specific point in his drawing with his sword.

"We need to take out the warning bell. That way the warriors have no mean of communication" Lancelot remarked and with a brief side glance at Merlin, he added: "I'll need someone with me who knows the castle."

Merlin nodded and said: "I'll go."

"Alright, then that's that settled. Everyone try to get some rest, we'll start at sunrise. I'll take the first watch" Arthur said.

While the others sat down and tried to get some sleep, Merlin was wide awake watching Arthur. He was still overwhelmed with the turn of events. He was scared to close his eyes in case this was just a dream.

Gwen softly walked over to Arthur and placed her hand gently on his shoulder.

"Stay here with Gaius. I want you to be safe, no matter what happens tomorrow" Arthur said as he turned around to face her.

Gwen just nodded, too unsure of her voice. Arthur pulled her closer to him and tenderly caressed her chin and neck.

"They'll see" Gwen interjected half-heartedly.

"I don't care. I want you to know...if I never see you again..."

"You will. You will see me. I watched you last night. You gave us hope, something to believe in. I saw the king you will become. I'm so proud of you Arthur" Gwen said and then they kissed.

Merlin smiled. After all these two had been through, he wanted them to find the happiness they deserved. And he had another change to help them along the way. But his attention was soon distracted from the happy couple by Gaius.

"You need to be careful" the physician said in a low voice.

"I've got the easy bit. The warning bell is nothing compared to the cells."

Gaius gave him the raised eyebrow which he always did when he knew that Merlin was bent on something dangerous: "I overheard you, Merlin. If Morgause catches you, she'll kill you."

"I have no choice."

"I suppose so, but do be careful Merlin. Promise me."

"I will do my best, Gaius."

Gaius looked at him warmly: "I remember the bumbling idiot that came charging into my chamber all those years ago. Who would believe..." He gave him a brief hug.

True, he had come far since he had first set his foot on Camelot's soil. Yet, he also remembered how far he still had to go and just how much pain and suffering his destiny had still in store for him. Merlin knew it was dangerous to keep musing about his past. It was now his future and he still had a chance of changing their destinies. He couldn't risk that by wallowing in self-pity. He had to focus on the task ahead. Retaking Camelot had been a close call, he remembered. He would need all his strength and power to destroy the cup. And he knew that they were not nearly enough. If Gaius had not disobeyed Arthur and had not followed them and shown up in the Great Hall, Merlin was sure he would have been lost... At that moment it fell like scales from his eyes. Of course, it all made sense. He knew exactly why the Goddess had sent him here to this very time.

The new day dawned and although nobody had been able to get enough sleep the night before, they were all fully awake and ready for the mission which lay ahead.

Merlin was still trying to get his head around the fact that he had done all this once before and was deep in thought when Arthur stepped to him, prepared for battle.

"It is time. For the love of Camelot!" he said.

"For the love of Camelot!" everybody responded.

Almost silently and very carefully, they made their way towards Camelot's northern ramparts. The castle and the surrounding city lay quietly before them; nobody was yet stirring. The knights and Merlin entered through the secret tunnel without being seen. We really have to do something about this, Merlin thought as he followed Arthur. It is too easy to sneak into this castle. He shook his head disapprovingly. No wonder Morgana and her minions had been able to defeat them so often. Taking the castle by surprise was hardly a challenge. But, he mused, now I can help change that.

At the end of the tunnel, Arthur grabbed both Merlin and Lancelot by their shoulders and nodded at them encouragingly: "Good luck."
Both of them returned the nod and hurried off towards the Great Hall where Merlin remembered the Cup to be.

To Lancelot, he said: "I can sense the Cup's power. This way."

Just as they turned around one corner, they came face to face with one of Morgana's guards. Before Lancelot had even tried to attack him, Merlin swung Excalibur at him. The guard's defence was not up. Supposed immortality could have that side-effect, Merlin thought slightly amused. Even though his sword-skills were not exactly preeminent, he managed to run the guard through with it. As soon as the sword went through the guard's body, he exploded.

He caught Lancelot's amazed look and smiled: "It was forged in a dragon's breath."

Without stopping or any further encounter, they continued towards their destination. At the corner to the Great Hall, Merlin halted and peeked carefully around the corner. Of course, it was guarded. Eight guards were positioned before the door. And behind that door lay the Cup and Merlin's chance to change the future.

"What do we do now?" Lancelot whispered.

In response, Merlin shot him a small grin. Then they both charged.

Merlin came to newly appreciate Excalibur. What a stroke of luck it had been that Nimueh had unleashed Uther's dead brother-in-law or else Merlin might not have been wielding this mighty weapon now. Destiny was a curious thing, he thought.

It was not, however, as if they had easy game. After all, there were eight admittedly careless guards against the two of them and even with Excalibur, it was hard work. Lancelot had to draw the guards onto him, giving Merlin enough time to finish them off. And all the while, Merlin knew they had to hurry. Finally, all the guards were destroyed and they entered the Great Hall.

Lancelot barricaded the door while Merlin already charged the couple of guards inside the Hall. Obviously, neither Morgana nor Morgause had deemed it necessary to post more than a handful guards around the Cup. Merlin was thankful for their over-confidence. Then it was down to the final two guards. Just before Merlin finished off the first one, he saw from the corner of his eye that Lancelot was injured though when Merlin had killed the last one, as well, Lancelot motioned to him that it was not that bad.

Meanwhile, the warning bells were sounded. Merlin smiled as he thought how Arthur would surely be reacting just now in the dungeons, but almost immediately he focused on the task at hand. Swiftly, he made his way to the Cup which was standing on a small pedestal near the throne. He knew Morgause would enter any minute now. This time he was prepared. He felt her presence and before her spell could throw him on his back, he turned and parried her magic. He didn't even need words for that.

Morgause was of course taken aback to encounter a magical resistance. But her shock lasted only briefly. With her so typical smirk, a family trait she shared with her sister, she said to him: "Who'd have guessed? Arthur's useless servant a sorcerer? Well, well. The world has seen stranger things. Have you come to finally side with your people? Or are you still willing to serve a prince who if he ever finds out about your abilities, will have you burnt at the stakes?"

Merlin shook his head decisively. "You don't know what you are talking about, Morgause. You don't know Arthur."

"Oh, I know him. He is just like his father and he will only bring pain and misery to those of us who possess magic. And if you were not so wrapped up in his lies, you would see him for who he really is."

"And if you weren't so taken up with your own petty revenge against Uther, you would see that you are mistaken. You know about the Prophecy. Arthur is the once and future king who will unite the land of Albion. And he will bring back magic. But it is people like you and Morgana with your own selfish agenda who betray his trust, who only show him the destruction and suffering magic can cause and who use it not as they should for the good of the people but for their personal gain that prevent him from seeing the good side of magic."

"You still believe in this stupid prophecy? Arthur has forfeited any claim he might have once had. You should turn your back on him while you still can, young sorcerer."

"I will never desert him. And I will not allow you to continue with your scheming and revenging. I will stop you, if I have to."

"I'd like to see you try! I am a High Priestess of the Old Religion. I do not fear a mangy sorcerer like yourself. You cannot stop me. I have an immortal army at my command and I possess powers that you would never have dreamed of. You have crossed me and my sister once too often. But not this time, boy! I will end you!"

Just as she was about to direct another spell at Merlin, Gaius stepped out behind one of the pillar.

"No, you won't" he said and then pointing his hand towards her, he shouted: "Oferswing!" causing Morgause to fly back. But Gaius's powers were no match for a High Priestess. She was up again in no time and tried to cast spell on Gaius. That was what Merlin had been waiting for. With his eyes flashing golden, he shouted; "Þurhdrif hie ecg!" and thereby sent Excalibur straight through her stomach.

Morgause looked rather perplexed at him and started: "You fool! I am a High Priestess, I cannot..." but stopped as she felt her life force draining out. Feebly she sank to the floor.

"You're right" Merlin said while he went across to her and pulled the sword out of her, "but this isn't an ordinary blade. It was forged in a dragon's breath. And I am not a mangy sorcerer either. I am Emrys."

At the mention of the name, Morgause's eyes widened in horror.

"This can't be... You can't..." she muttered weakly. And with a final, painful breath Morgause collapsed and was dead.

That's it! I have done it! Merlin thought. But Gaius's voice brought him back to more urgent matters he had almost forgotten.

"Merlin! The Cup! Hurry!"

With Excalibur in his right hand, he sprinted over to the Cup and knocked it over thereby spilling the blood which it contained. Merlin turned back just in time to see Morgana hurry into the Great Hall. As she saw her sister's corpse, she ran to her and embraced her now cold, lifeless body.

"No! No! Sister!" she whispered softly patting her cheek, trying to wake her up.

Despite all she had done, Merlin wasn't able to close his heart against the surge of pity which wallowed up inside him as he remembered the old Morgana he had come to know when he had first arrived at Camelot – the Morgana who felt compassion for her fellow human beings, who would speak out against cruelty and injustice and who was loyal to her friends. They had come a long way from this and Merlin was still at loss how his friend had been able to become the vengeful woman consumed with rage and hatred he saw before him. Maybe it wasn't too late for her either?

"It's over, Morgana" he said, his sympathy ringing in his voice. "The nightmare is over."
Morgana looked up at him. He hardly recognised her. There was no kindness in her eyes and her face had been contorted into a masque of contempt and hatred. Her eyes narrowed as she laughed evilly: "No, you're wrong. It has only just begun!"

Morgana's scream sent the windows to explode and the Great Hall to crumble while a dark whirl of wind was engulfing the two sisters who immediately vanished into thin air. Just in time, Merlin, Gaius, and Lancelot were able to scramble to their feet and rush out.

Outside in the courtyard, they met the rest of the knights and Arthur. Everybody seemed to be fine except for minor scratches and small wounds that would heal in good time.

"Thank the spirits, this is over!" Gawaine said.

"Not quite, yet" Arthur replied with a smile, "Someone still has to bring Guinevere home."

Arthur had in fact sent all of his Knights of the Round Table to bring her home. Eagerly awaiting their return, Arthur was sitting on top of the stairs that lead to the Castle. Merlin had been standing thoroughly concealed by a pillar watching his friend for some time. Then he went over and sat down next to him. Arthur briefly smiled at him and Merlin could see his gratitude which Merlin knew Arthur would never voice. Typically, what he said was: "Have you seen the state of these boots?"

Merlin was not upset. He didn't need to have Arthur spell it out. He knew anyway.

"Yeah" was his short answer.

"Well, go and get something to clean them."

"Why? They're your boots." Oh, how he loved their playful banter! And how good it was to still have the chance to enjoy it!

"Have you lost your mind?"

Hardly trying to cover the grin that began spreading all over his face, Merlin replied: "I thought you believed in equality."
"I'm sorry?"

"At the Round Table, you said..."

"Oh, shut up, Merlin!" Arthur said and gave him a friendly shove.

Merlin laughed wholeheartedly before moving on to a more serious matter: "How's your father?"

"I don't know. All this. Morgana. It's hit him hard - harder than I'd imagined."

"Perhaps we're heading for a new time. You may need to take charge, become...become King."

"Who knows what the future will bring."

Yes, who knows? But they were both roused from their gloomy thoughts by the arrival of Guinevere and the Knights.

"And they searched through the remains of the rubble, and still no Morgana?" Gaius asked Merlin as they were sitting in Gaius's chamber.

Merlin shook his head.

"She won't have gone far. Merlin, no one else is going to say this to you, but I will. Well done."

"We both have. I told you Camelot needed both of us" he said and he truly meant it. He didn't know – and honestly, he didn't want to – how he would have ended up without his guardian and his guidance. He was very lucky indeed to have him.

"We're going to have to tidy this place up."

Of course, Merlin knew what he still had to he replied while getting to his feet: "Hmm. But not now."

"Where are you going?"

"There's something I have to do."

Unseen, Merlin snuck out of the castle into the woods. As the sun was already dawning upon him, he stepped into a clearing. He had found what he had been looking for. An enormous rock was lying in the middle of it and a ray of warm red morning sunshine illuminated the rock. Again Merlin felt an air of destiny as he walked up to the stone and raised Excalibur above his head. With a flicker of gold in his eyes, Merlin thrust the sword deeply into the stone.

Smiling contently, he took one last look at it and then made his way home. There was still a long way before him in order to save Arthur, but he was confident that he had made the first step.

I have mainly followed the events of the corresponding episode for this chapter but I felt that Merlin would at least try to make Morgause see reason although it eventually was in vain. I also liked the idea that Merlin hasn't given up on Morgana completely. We'll see if he can save her still. Let me know what you think!